Roller derby stars join concussion study
It was not long ago when the effects of suffering a sports-related concussion were not fully understood and athletes too often were rushed back into action.
But protocols continue to change with much greater caution increasingly used around anyone who suffers a brain-rattling injury.
The University of Windsor has established a sport-related concussion centre, in part under the guidance of associate professor Joe Casey, a clinical neuropsychologist.
On Saturday, about a dozen members of the Border City Brawlers Roller Derby League attended the centre and participated in providing a baseline assessment so each athlete going forward who suffers a head injury can be better evaluated.
“We are gathering the information prior to them playing, so if they are injured we are able to do a better re-assessment,” Casey said. “We can compare using their symptoms, plus also cognitive and balance testing.
“It will help us determine how much recovery time is needed, so when they return (to playing), they can do so safely. The risks of a second injury while still recovering are much greater than the first.”
Every Lancer athlete involved in a contact sport has already gone through the program, while the Sun Parlor Female Hockey Association has also been assessed at the concussion centre.
Becky Mathers, 35, has been involved with roller derby for more than four years. She was among those happy to participate in the testing after suffering a concussion from the sport already.
“It’s nice to have a base and get to learn more in case it happens to me again,” Mathers said. “I was foggy and fuzzy after it happened. I went back to work, then a day later it really hit me with lights and sound bothering me.
“This helps me know what to look for now, plus if it happens again we will be able to look back at where I was at.”
There are over 30 players involved on three teams in the roller derby league, said Julia Valeriani, co-captain of the all-stars team.
“It’s a full-contact sport so it makes us more prone to injury and concussion,” she said. “This will help us ... to go about treatment and keeping our brains safe.”
Also participating Saturday was the Brain Injury Association of Windsor Essex County — often a community resource people seek out for information on concussions.
“There is still so much to learn,” said Kim Fralick, the association’s executive director. “In the past, too many people went back too soon and had issues afterwards.”
The most important thing for any athlete or their family members to understand after there has been a sports-related brain injury are the symptoms. They can include dizziness, headaches, emotional outbursts, nausea or vomiting, she said.
“The best way to gauge things is if someone is just not feeling right or like themselves,” Fralick said. “They need to seek treatment by a physician and understand what is happening.
“That’s why something like this with baseline testing is very helpful. That way you know where you were at prior to the injury.”
The brain is “very fragile” so there can easily be lasting impacts after a concussion, she said.
“Some people think a week or two, but we have people contact the association and tell us it’s been 13 or 16 weeks.
“They are very frustrated because they thought they should be better.”
It’s a full-contact sport so it makes us more prone to injury and concussion. This will help us ... to go about treatment and keeping our brains safe.